Weaverham High School smartens up security with Abloy access control

Abloy UK’s innovative SMARTAIR system has been retrofitted to all external doors at Weaverham High School in Cheshire by local locksmiths Lock-Tec (UK), to upgrade the school’s security systems in line with Government targets for safeguarding children.

Safeguarding children was launched by the Government as part of the Every Child Matters initiative, with a priority to ensure any premises where children are present, both indoors and outdoors, is safe and secure. To comply with the Government targets, Weaverham High School contacted LockTec who recommended SMARTAIR update-on-card and door automation, as a complete Access Control system.

SMARTAIR was retrofitted to all 11 external doors using mainly wall readers and electronic locking, with minimum disruption to learning timetables. Access through each door is only authorized by presentation of unique Mifare smart cards.

Peter Halsall, Site Manager of Weaverham High School said, “The safety of the pupils attending our school is of paramount importance. When it was decided to extend our school security to safeguard the children, Lock-Tec recommended SMARTAIR as it meant we could keep our existing cards from the old system and still upgrade our security. The whole process was seamless from start to finish.”

SMARTAIR update-on-card provides a secure all-in-one access control solution. A management kit connected to a PC acts as the central point for setting up users and configuring doors. Cards are issued from an encoder unit connected to the PC and a cards audit trail can be read from any card passed back to the PC.

Mike Jackson, Access Control Manager at Lock-Tec said, “SMARTAIR update-on -card offers extensive features normally associated with a sophisticated access control system. It is especially useful in high traffic areas and therefore ideal for a school such as Weaverham, to offer the ultimate security to all who attend.”

Debbie Marsh, Regional Sales Manager, Access Solutions of Abloy UK added, “As a mum myself, I am always extra keen to assist where the security of children in schools is concerned. I also appreciate that quick, efficient installation within budget is paramount to the end user. SMARTAIR update-on-card was the perfect choice for the school to achieve of all of this and more.”

SMARTAIR is a ‘bolt on’ solution for use on internal and external doors, and in many circumstances, can be fitted to existing door locks with the option of retaining existing key systems.

SMARTAIR is supplied ready to fit in one pack, complete with handles, batteries, a fitting tool and spindles. The kit also comes with an installation card for use by locksmiths or fitters during installation.